Replay: Chat with MSU beat writer Joe Rexrode

Joe answered readers' questions March 20, 2014

Joe is here, hours before the Spartans start their NCAA tournament run, to answer your questions about the basketball and football teams.

by James Jahnke3/18/2014 5:18:44 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

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Hello?

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:00:28 PM

Hello!

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:00:33 PM

Live from Spokane!

by James Jahnke3/20/2014 6:00:43 PM

Welcome to a special edition of the live chat, here from Spokane Arena. There are 6 minutes until Cincy and Harvard tip here. I'm the pool reporter so I may have to leave and interview a rogue official.

I wasn't asked to pick that game. I think I should just leave Syracuse alone anyway.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:02:02 PM

Let's get right to it Joe - best quote from Jud so far?

by Stan3/20/2014 6:02:07 PM

I loved the quote that ended the story yesterday, which is why I used it to end it. On Valentine. But he's a laugh every 20 seconds.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:02:37 PM

How could you pick Iowa to beat MSU last week? Not only could they not even beat Northwestern, with their losing streak the Hawkeyes didn't deserve to make the NCAA tournament!

by Seattle Dave3/20/2014 6:02:41 PM

Well, I also picked Indiana to win the Big Ten tournament. This is why I don't live in Las Vegas.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:02:59 PM

Love how Travis Trice has been playing lately. Will he see at least 20 min of floor time?

by Seattle Dave3/20/2014 6:03:00 PM

Agree, best ball of his life right now. And yeah, I think today for sure in this matchup. I think Alvin Ellis will get some shifts as well against this four-guard, quick team.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:03:30 PM

OSU up 1 with 4:12 to go.

by jenison100043/20/2014 6:03:32 PM

Pool reporter = means nothing to us Joe - like complaints about late games and deadlines.

by Stan3/20/2014 6:03:35 PM

Hey now. Well, it basically means if there is controversy, I go get quotes from officials for everyone else to use.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:04:02 PM

hey joe, Who do you think will be a surprise off the bench during this tourney for MSU, like Green his freshman yr? Also, hope you enjoy listening to the best basketball band in the country every game!

by GoGreen!!!3/20/2014 6:04:13 PM

Good question. I think Kaminski can be that guy in some matchups. But today, as I said, look for Alvin Ellis to play a larger-than-normal role. I think Izzo will want to use his depth against a team that plays its starting guards 40-ish minutes.

He did not pick Delaware, if that's what you mean. He has MSU in his Final Four. Sorry to disappoint.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:05:18 PM

Dayton up 1 3:07

by jenison100043/20/2014 6:05:22 PM

Wow, what an awful start this could be for the B1G.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:05:32 PM

Hey Joe, have you noticed any overconfidence from the players after everyone has jumped on their bandwagon?

by Rob in Tampa3/20/2014 6:05:35 PM

No, but it's hard to detect that stuff in interviews. Saying all the right things. As they correctly point out, the world was ending a week ago. So I think they've seen enough of both sides to ignore.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:06:06 PM

Shilling, Byrd and Ellis have been more of a liability than an asset. They accounted for 50% of the TO's vs. UM. Why play them at all? MSU should go with Trice, Costello and KK off the bench? 8 man rotation this time of year makes sense. Your thoughts Joe?

by Bob3/20/2014 6:06:17 PM

Matchups mean a lot.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:06:30 PM

Somebody's got to ask it: What's the latest with Malik McDowell, and are the odds dropping that he goes to State the longer this goes on?

by Faygo3/20/2014 6:06:34 PM

THANK YOU, FINALLY!

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:06:41 PM

No clue.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:06:57 PM

If we get bumped from the dance earlier than Michigan, does that prove how lucky we got when we beat them?

by spud's girl3/20/2014 6:06:58 PM

I approved this to show everyone what "bad trolling" is. At least give yourself a chance.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:07:16 PM

What is the long low sound made during the MSU fight song?

by geltman3/20/2014 6:07:29 PM

I think you mean the "Weeeeeeeeaaaaakkkk!" instead of "weakening." It's a Dantonio/football thing.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:07:49 PM

Can Payne stop CJ Fair, if they play 'cuse?? They both are ballers.

by IzzoTwerksAlot3/20/2014 6:07:53 PM

Payne won't be guarding CJ Fair if they play. Cuse has plenty of bigs that suit him better.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:08:11 PM

Will Harris go pro and follow the path of Trey Burke?

by IzzoTwerksAlot3/20/2014 6:08:13 PM

I think he'll go pro.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:08:19 PM

I had the opportunity to watch all 8 teams practice in Spokane, most of the teams just shot baskets and did very little practice, for their 40 minutes. MSU hit the court running, and I mean running! the team looked like a well oiled machine and very crisp on the handing and passing of the baskertball. I was very impressed with MSU.

by jay3/20/2014 6:08:22 PM

Hey Joe, will the #4 seed in this bracket hurt the Spartans, considering the distance and a likely matchup with Virginia?

by JDMVP3/20/2014 6:08:27 PM

I think this bracket works quite well for MSU.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:08:37 PM

Can dawson contain Wiggins, if we play the jayhawks?

by Miley4Prez!3/20/2014 6:08:46 PM

Now that would be fun.

by Joe Rexrode3/20/2014 6:08:54 PM

OK St. in your final? I am concerned. Hey Joe, please provide me with some justification for this pick. Thank you!

by Daniel J. Metz3/20/2014 6:08:57 PM

After that "Danny Manning and the Miracles" run of 1988, followed by Kemba Walker and UConn in 2009, I look for those teams that can ride one great player deep into the tourney. Love how the Cowboys are playing since he returned. (Marcus Smart).